Benzalkonium Chloride

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Known Synonyms

Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride
Chlorure de benzalkonium

Benzalkonium chloride is a biocide present in a large range of products, including some drugs and cleaning agents. It is sometimes listed as quarternary ammonium compounds on MSDS as it actually has more than one chemical formula.

It is one of the commoner causes of occupational asthma in cleaners and those exposed to cleaning aerosols.

There are a few published case reports of occupational asthma to benzalkonium chloride, often with positive serial peak flow (Oasys) analysis and specific inhalation challenges.

Oasys Notifications for Benzalkonium Chloride

The Oasys Audit scheme started midway through 2010 and collects agents typed in through the Oasys program. The years before 2010 show old data entered during 2010 or later and are likely to have many fewer notifications. We expect Oasys to become more widely adopted as time goes by so increasing notifications does not necessarily mean an increasing problem.